Meet Rosy Sunshine Galvan

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Rosy Sunshine Galvan. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Rosy below.

Rosy, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?

Everyone has wisdom, divine light, and purpose to share. If we’re in a room, it’s because we’re meant to be there. In my social work and public health career, I’ve experienced being the only person of color in the room (or one of a few). Unfortunately, nonprofits and public health institutions aren’t as diverse as they should be, given the populations they serve. What has helped me take up space is remembering that so many people in my community are counting on me to speak up, challenge inequities, and not take my moment in that seat for granted. It’s our responsibility to share our thoughts, ideas, and reservations that only the sum of our unique experiences allows us to see and reflect. Remembering this gives me the courage to speak up, even when I’m scared or my voice shakes. Be ok with saying things in “first draft.” Your ideas don’t have to be perfect, polished, or sanitized. Believe in your voice and know that you are here for a reason.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I have a macro social work background and am deeply committed to eradicating the root causes that keep us unwell. I partly do this through my consulting company, The Sunshine Collective, where I train and coach organizations to actualize their equity and anti-racism goals. I am also a muralist, painter, and digital artist who speaks to the power of color and texture to help us heal. I started painting 25 years ago to help me cope with PTSD, which I didn’t know I had at the time, using doodles, sketches, and acrylic paints to process my experiences. I’ve since painted hundreds of brightly textured, joyful Beings that honor how beautiful it is to show up for ourselves and each other no matter what we’ve been through. My art celebrates those of us who show up to liberation work unapologetically and authentically despite the mental health challenges we carry. The Beings I create remind us that we are beautiful, needed, and more than enough, just as we are.

What I find most exciting about being both an artist and change-maker is the endless possibility of imagination. I have used my imagination to produce impactful systemic changes in state government, organizations, and other spaces that often seem immovable. I also know that using art for healing is, in fact, an evidence-based practice. Using colors to intentionally transform spaces in ways that uplift the energy of passersby is a critical part of our collective healing journey.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Three things that helped me survive and evolve were the audacity to dream, radical imagination, and diligent observation. Growing up in the pre-gentrified Lower East Side of Manhattan with my parents, who escaped a dictatorship in the Dominican Republic, taught me so much about systemic disregard and divestment in working-class BIPOC communities. I was told by teachers, media, and systems that my path was already carved out for me to fail. Somehow, I knew that life was more expansive than they wanted me to believe. My fierce optimism and imagination helped me not only improve my circumstances but also make a commitment to fighting back with creativity. My advice to anyone reading this is to trust your inner voice. Don’t let folks convince you that another world isn’t possible. Our capacity to dream is inextricably linked to our liberation. Also, creativity is essential to the human experience – everyone is an artist, whether you think you can draw or not!

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

I’m looking for nonprofits and clinics in Baltimore who want to brighten up their spaces with murals! I know from first-hand experience that clinical settings don’t help assuage the anxiety we feel when taking the first steps to seek help. Having colorful images on the wall gives our minds permission to wander away from anxious thoughts, providing comfort, smiles, and much-needed dopamine. If there are folks out there who are interested in harnessing the positive and effective outcomes of art in healing spaces, please email me! You can find my contact information on my website, www.rosysunshinepaints.com.

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